Hot dogs, cold drinks and sunshine — the perfect recipe for a barbecue held with family and friends. But a barbecue held at Doug Fluhrer Park on Saturday was no reason to celebrate.
“We have education workers, health care workers, community groups and seniors and students,” said Lesley Jamieson, president of the Kingston District Labour Council.
A year ago Friday, Doug Ford was elected as premier of Ontario. And local union officials say their provincial government is anything but ‘for the people’.
“It’s been pretty bad, and it’s a daily shock,” said Shiela Sak, president of OPSEU Local 4104. “When you open up the newspaper, or watch the news, it’s a daily shock seeing the cuts that are being made and the changes to labour.”
“I see the suffering of this, and it’s not fair,” said Theresa Graham,president OPSEU Local 497. “Why is he attacking our most vulnerable people? Children, health care — health care is huge.”
WATCH: Doug Ford marks year since Ontario election
The province did ultimately backtrack on retroactive cuts to municipalities and healthcare, which these groups believe is the result of keeping elected officials accountable.
But they won’t rest on their laurels.
But of course with a majority government, like the one governing Ontario, three more anniversary barbecues could be held before voters get a chance to have their say. In the meantime, though, the labour groups say they won’t let up on having their voices heard.